KFTC 2013 Annual Membership Meeting

KFTC’s statewide Annual Membership Meeting will be held August 16 through August 18 this year at the General Butler State Park in Carrollton. Please note the new date and location.

Our meeting's theme this year is "This is What Democracy Looks Like" and will focus on ways to build a healthier democracy in Kentucky. Workshops include worker cooperatives, efforts to protect and expand voting rights, immigration rights, citizen lobbying and everyday democracy, media reform and democracy, among other topics.

The annual meeting is a time for all KFTC members to gather together to celebrate great work over the past year, learn new skills and hold the yearly business meeting. During the business portion of the meeting, members will consider the proposed platform, elect statewide officers and accept new or renewing chapters for the coming year.

This is What Democracy Looks Like

Schedule of Events

Friday, August 16th

4 p.m.

Registration Opens

7:30 p.m.

Opening and Keynote Address by Wendell Berry: Wendell’s address will focus on the economic changes in Kentucky, especially rural Kentucky, that have led to a loss of self-determination, local knowledge and affection. He will reflect on ways these changes in our economy affect our well-being and democracy. And he will suggest a set of ideas about what is needed to re-imagine ourselves and resettle our communities.

9 p.m.

Evening Square Dance & Fun

Saturday, August 17th

8 a.m.

Breakfast

9 a.m.

Opening

9:45 a.m.

Strengthening Democracy: Join us for a morning focused on exploring the national landscape around grassroots democracy, what groups in other states are doing to build more civic engagement. And then hear from a panel of leading Kentucky experts on how we can build more democracy in our communities and state.

12:30 p.m.

Lunch

2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Saturday Afternoon Workshops

Campaign Finance Reform — A look at how campaigns are funded, the impact it makes on our democracy, and an exploration of the current proposals for reforming campaign finance in Kentucky and the U.S.

Economic Democracy — Learn more about models for cooperatives--from rural electric co-ops to worker-owner cooperatives. What are they? How can we make them work here in Kentucky to help build New Power?

KFTC 101 — New to KFTC or just want to learn about who we are and how we work, then join us at this great introduction session to get a friendly overview about grassroots organizing and the issues we work on.

Media and Democracy —Democracy can only thrive in an environment where citizens have access to truthful and thorough information. How we get our news is a key piece of a strong democracy. Join us at this workshop to learn about media ownership and the latest attempts to consolidate media ownership and what we can do about it.

Democracy for all: Immigration Rights — Join us at this workshop to learn more about the issue of immigration in America and in Kentucky, learn more about comprehensive immigration reform, and how we can support immigrant rights in our own communities.

Voting as a key to Democracy — Join us at this workshop to go in-depth about the issue of voting in America. What is going on nationally around trying to suppress the vote? What could we do to engage new voters in the process? What are the laws around voter registration and how can I work locally to help more people to vote.

Youth Workshop — Young people attending the annual meeting are invited to attend their own workshop that will be on a topic related to social and environmental justice.

7 p.m.

Dinner & Awards Ceremony

8:30 p.m.

Evening Entertainment & Cultural Sharing

Sunday, August 18th

8 a.m.

Breakfast

9 a.m.

Sunday Morning Workshops

Art and Activism — Join us at this workshop to learn how to use art and culture to bring about social change.

Fundraising 101 — Raising money is a key to building power within in KFTC. And it isn’t as hard as many think. Join us at this workshop to learn simple, easy to plan fundraising ideas that you can bring back to your local chapter or community.

Regional Movement Building — There is an excitement configuration of groups and individuals organizing in the region for increased civic engagement and social change. Join us at this workshop to learn a bit more about the work and how you might get involved.

Everyday Democracy — We all know that democracy is more than just on election day. What can we do everyday to make sure that we are helping to build an authentic, participatory democracy in our state.

Citizen Lobbying — Citizens talking to their elected officials is a powerful way to increase democracy and civic participation in Kentucky. Join us at this workshop to learn tools and tricks for lobbying – from city council members to state lawmakers and everywhere in between!

Voter Empowerment — Elections aren’t the only time that democracy is important, but they are certainly a really important piece of the puzzle. Join us at this workshop to learn how to identify and activate more local residents as new power voters in your community.

10:30 a.m.

Break

10:45 a.m.

Business Meeting— Join us for this annual opportunity to vote on KFTC’s platform of issues, electe officers, accept new and returning chapters and more. The business meeting is the heart of KFTC’s own democratic structure.